Supporting device



y 1951 M. E. NYGARD 2,551,388

SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1948 INVENTOR. MAE E. NYGARD Patented May 1, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a supporting device, and particularly to such an article for use by a person in a reclining position either in bed, or on a chaise longue, or the like, when he desires support for a portion of his body; for example, an arm, or a leg, or my device may be used as a headrest. My supporting device is especially useful for a patient who has sullered an injury to a member which as a consequence requires support in addition to that afforded by simply reclining, but it is equally adapted simply to give an additional measure of comfort to one who is resting in a reclining position.

My support has certain advantages over a supporting cushion, or the like; for example, in warm weather it is more comfortable, and also, when not in use it can be folded fiat and occupies so little space that it may be easily tucked. away out of sight, or carried about in a traveling bag. It is of light weight and inexpensive to manufacture, and its fabric portion is easily removable for cleansing.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my supporting device in unfolded, operative position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. l, but showing the opposite side of the device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3, Fig. 1, illustrating the means for retaining the fabric portion of the device in asp sociation with the frame.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View illustrating the stop member in position on one side of the device.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the stop member in operative position on the opposite side of the device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the frame of the support as it appears in folded position with the fabric removed therefrom.

The invention comprises a frame, preferably of strip metal, consisting of an outer rectangular element formed of a continuous strip bent to form end members I and 2, respectively, and side members 3 and 4, respectively, the ends of the strip forming said element being overlapped at the center of the side member 3, as shown at 5, where they are rigidly secured together by a rivet 6.

The frame also includes an inner rectangular element positioned inside the outer rectangular element and of slightly smaller dimensions, said inner element also being formed of a continuous strip bent to form end members I and 8, respectively, and side members 9 and m, respectively, the ends of the strip forming said inner rectangular element being overlapped at the center of the side member 9, as shown at H, where they are rigidly secured together by a rivet I2. The rivets 6 and 12 also act as pivots for the two rectangular frame elements just described to permit them to assume the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 when the supporting device is in operative position.

The frame has two stop members l3, one on the inner surface of either the side member 3 or t of the outer rectangular element and one on the outer surface of either the side member 9 or iii of the inner rectangular element, so placed that the stop members are positioned respectively on opposite sides of the frame, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the end members I, 2, I, and 8 is longitudinally slotted, as shown at I4 in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The side member 3 of the inner rectangular element has a circular or elliptical opening l5 at each end communicating with its slots I4, and the side member [0 of the outer rectangular element has similar circular or elliptical openings It at its ends communicating with its slots 4.

Two sections of fabric ll, preferably of a material which will not stretch, are mounted upon the frame in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 when the device is in operating position. The sections ll are detachable from the frame, and are secured thereto through the instrumentality of the slots M, as follows: The fabric sections I! are provided with hems H3 at their ends, and a length of cord I9 is drawn into each hem, the cord l9 extending the entire length of the hem. The cords I9 are of such diameter that they and their encircling hems will pass through the openings i5 and It, but will not slip through the slots l4.

When the support is to be prepared for use, the corded hem at one end of a fabric section ii is passed through the opening [5 in the side member 3, and the corded hem at the opposite end of said fabric section is passed through the opening it in the side member I. The two corded hems are threaded through these respective openings and drawn along adjacent the inner sides of the slots it in the end members 2 and i, and, as above set out, the diameter of the corded hems is such that they will not slip through the slots.

The corded hems of the other section of fabric ll are then mounted in the same manner in the slotted ends 8 and i, and from what has been said it will be understood that now the two fabric 3 sections I! are mounted on the frame in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The device is now ready for use as a support, and when unfolded to its widest extent the stop members [3 will prevent its collapse, and in this position the fabric sections 17 are stretched taut to serve as a support in the manner explained at the beginning of this specification. Either of the fabric sections may be uppermost at this time with equally good results.

The device may be folded flat when not in use by swinging the side members 3, 4, 9, and H] on the pivots 6 and I2 to bring together the end members 2 and 1 and the end members I and 8, respectively. It will be understood that the fabric sections may be detached from theframe by simply reversing the process ofsecuring them thereto as above described. While I have illustrated and described the fabric sections 11 as having corded hems, the cords [9 are not essential and may be omitted if the hems [8 are of such thickness that they will not slip through the slots I4.

I claim:

1. A foldable supporting device comprising rectangular frame members pivotally secured one within another and adjustable with respect to each other, the end portions of said frame members being provided with slots and the side portions thereof being provided with openings in communication with said slots, fabric sections secured to said frame members and extending through said slots so that said fabric sections are taut when said frame members are adjusted to operative position, and a pair of stop elements to retain said frame members in operative position, one of said stop members being positioned on the inner surface of the outer one of said rec- Lil) tangular frames and the other of said stop members being positioned on the outer surface of the inner one of said rectangular frames.

2. A foldable supporting device comprising rectangular frame members pivotally secured one within another and adjustable with respect to each other, the end portions of said frame members being provided with slots and the side portions thereof being provided with opening in communication with said slots, fabric sections secured to said frame members and extending through said slots so that said fabric sections are taut when said frame members are adjusted to operative. position, one end of each fabric section being secured to an end portion of the outer rectangular-frame member and the opposite end of said fabric section being secured to an end portion of the inner'r'ectangular frame member, the end portions of said fabric being thicker than the diameter of said slots, and a pair of stop elements to retain said. frame members in operative position, one of said stop members being positioned on the inner surface of the outer one of said rectangular frames and the other of said stop members being positione on the 011 2 1 surface of the inner one of said rectangular frames.

MAE E. NYGARD.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES r r N rs Number Name Date 1,363,728 Hardy Q; Dec. 28, 1920 1,557,813 Derse Oct. 20, 1925 1,959,603 Troxell May 22, 1934 2,197,343 Marx Apr. 16, 1940 

